Published: Jul 20, 2019, 04:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 20, 2019, 04:33 PM (IST)
James Anderson says England‘s remarkable win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final over New Zealand was amazing, but they now have to get over it quickly and re-focus their mindset on Test cricket.
England will play Ireland in a four-day Test beginning July 24 before Ashes 2019 that starts from August 1.
“It’s a really exciting time for English cricket. I think it was an amazing final and the reaction to it has been phenomenal,” Anderson was quoted as saying by the BBC. “It’s time to re-focus on to Test cricket. We realise the dangers that the Australian team bring to Test cricket, so we’re going to have to be fully focused on that.
Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Tests with 575 scalps hopes the team will be able to carry the momentum of their maiden ODI world cup win.
“We can’t afford to hang on to the World Cup win. It’s our job as English cricketers to try and carry that momentum on and hopefully an Ashes win will do that.”
Anderson is recovering well after suffering a low grade calf muscle tear during a county championship match earlier this month. “We meet up on Monday and at the moment I feel good. I will keep bowling and we will monitor it. If it comes to Wednesday and I’m fit to play then great, but if not I will work towards being fit for the Ashes,” he said.
Anderson is part of a 13-man squad which will take on Ireland in a four-day Test at Lord’s.
England squad for Ireland Test: Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
